Senator Menendez's (D-NJ) Corruption Trial

Senior Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey is on trial facing allegations of corruption.

The Department of Justice prosecuting attorney opened up the trial by claiming that Menendez "sold his office for a lifestyle he couldn't afford." Some have even compared the case to something that might make a plot for the television show "Scandal." Senator Menendez and his co-defendant each face multiple counts of conspiracy, fraud, and bribery, with most serious charges carrying a 20-year maximum prison sentence. The full indictment is available here.

ABC News is reporting:

Sordid details have continued to emerge in the corruption trial of Sen. Robert Menendez, with the latest testimony focused on charges that the senator influenced visa application approvals for his friend's mistresses. Menendez faces charges of bribery and corruption for official favors he provided to a wealthy donor while serving in the Senate. He is the first sitting senator in 36 years to face bribery charges. . . .

"Federal prosecutors allege New Jersey Democrat Bob Menendez helped [three foreign] women obtain visas to the U.S. as a political favor for their boyfriend, the senator’s married friend and wealthy donor Dr. Salomon Melgen – just one of the favors Menendez allegedly did for the doctor in exchange for expensive hotel stays, flights on private jets, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in private campaign contributions," Bruce continued. 

Politico sums up Senator Menedez's case as this:

The Democratic senator’s friendship with Melgen is the key to his defense; the men's attorneys have argued that gifts Melgen bestowed on Menendez — private jet flights, villa stays in the Dominican Republic, an expensive Paris hotel room and hundreds of thousands in campaign donations — were tokens of friendship.

Likewise, defense lawyers argue, favors Menendez did for Melgen — advocating for the doctor at the highest levels of federal government for visas for his foreign girlfriends and on Melegn’s business issues — were because of their friendship and not part of a quid pro quo, as prosecutors allege. 

If the jury finds Senator Menendez guilty, the Senator should resign or the Senator should move to expel him in unanimous, bipartisan action. Such alleged behavior is unbecoming and unacceptable from our public officials.  

Chris Christie Vetoes Automatic Voter Registration Bill

California and Oregon both passed mandatory voter registration laws this year and, if Democrats have their way, they are only the first of many. A Democratic group called iVote which is led by Jeremy Bird, a top Obama campaign aide, plans to spend millions of dollars in an effort to push mandatory voter registration laws.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently vetoed a mandatory voter registration effort by Democrats in the state.  Regarding the veto, Governor Christie said: "New Jersey taxpayers deserve better than to have their hard-earned tax dollars spent on thinly-veiled political gamesmanship and the State must ensure that every eligible citizen's vote counts and is not stolen by fraud."

As the Heritage Foundation points out, mandatory registration is nothing but a "'solution in search of a problem," and, as Governor Christie said, increases the potential for fraud. Mandatory registration is unlikely to help increase voter turnout because it is a lack of interest that keeps most voters from registering. In fact, the Census Bureau reports that only 4% of individuals claimed that they had not registered to vote  because they didn't "know where or how to register." Mandatory registration may not solve any problems, but it certainly has the potential to create one. These policies often involve permanent registration which has the potential to increase fraud because ineligible voters, voters who have moved, and the deceased would be more difficult to remove from the voter rolls.

Congratulations Governor Christie, and thank you for taking a stand and maintaining the integrity of the electoral system.